Sinn Féin - On Your Side

Sinn Féin Road Safety spokesperson, Cathal Boylan, has urged motorists to adjust their driving habits to allow for the upsurge in the number of children that will be out and about now that the school holidays are underway.

'In 2007, of children aged under 10 to 16 years of age, 8 were tragically killed and 129 were seriously injured. I would urge all drivers to pay special attention in urban areas to children emerging from between parked vehicles, chasing balls onto the road and so on; in rural areas children on bicycles are especially vulnerable. Motorists must take the time of year into account and expect to come across children in situations and places they would not normally expect at other times of the year,' said the Newry and Armagh MLA.

'Already this year 53 people have lost their lives on our roads, 2 of which have been under 16. As was highlighted last year, the effect of a road death has far reaching consequences for the friends, relatives and loved ones of a victim. I would hope that drivers - and the parents of children enjoying their summer holidays - will keep the need to reduce the number of fatalities on our roads to the forefront of their minds in the coming weeks.'